What should you know about post febrile seizure?

Fever can trigger a seizure in some children, often during a rapid temperature change. The child may stiffen, jerk, stare, become unresponsive or be sleepy afterwards. A seizure with fever is not automatically a febrile seizure: infection of the brain coverings, low blood sugar, medication or toxin exposure and other neurological causes may look similar. Age, duration, recovery and the source of fever guide assessment.

Place the child on a safe surface, remove nearby objects, protect the head and turn them onto their side when possible. Time the seizure and observe the movements. Do not restrain the child, put anything in the mouth, or give food, drink or medicine until fully alert. Afterward, check breathing and keep the child comfortably cool; arrange medical advice after any first seizure with fever.

Call emergency services if the seizure continues, repeats without full recovery, affects breathing, is one-sided, follows an injury, or the child remains unresponsive. Urgent assessment is needed for a stiff neck, severe headache, unusual rash, persistent vomiting, marked drowsiness or signs of meningitis. A first seizure with fever should be medically assessed even when recovery seems complete.

Ask what caused the fever, whether tests are needed, how to respond if another seizure occurs, and whether a rescue medicine is appropriate. Tell the clinician the temperature, seizure duration, movements, recovery, medicines and any exposure to alcohol or other substances.